You know when part of your body falls asleep, and after you "wake it up" you feel the blood rushing and it's sort of uncomfortable? Lately I've been feeling this ALL THE TIME only there's no reason I can see why the circulation should be cut off. It's in my arms and legs, but for some reason especially my left side. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this (it's only been going on since I've been on antibiotics).

Does Lyme somehow affect circulation? Is it something about toxins in the blood or something? Also, my left arm is extremely weak. Whenever I try to use it (to drive, to hold up a jar of baby food) it feels like the blood flow is cut off and it ends up really hurting all the way through to my chest. It sounds kind of silly with all the other symptoms going on, but this is currently the most limiting. Any thoughts?

And sorry for the scatter-brained post, but I also have another question if anyone has any insight. Lately I've been doing way too much internet research on Lyme, and I came across something that said that the existence of Lyme toxins hasn't been proven. Does anyone know of any research that points to evidence that this is a real phenomenon? I believe that it is (and detox baths really seem to help) but I have a scientist mentality with this sort of thing, I need to know something for a fact before I can believe it. THanks in advance!

I get the exact same thing. Sometimes it's hard to hold a book up to read as it's like all the blood runs out of my arms and there is no circulation. I am constantly rubbing my arms and legs to try and get the blood flowing. It can almost be painful as well. Mine used to be my right side, but lately it has been more on the left. When it is in my legs, my toes feel numb, and in my arms my fingers feel numb. Do you get sensations in your face as well?

Never ceases to amaze me...now matter how strange the symptom someone else has always experienced it! I haven't felt it in my face, although I do get a lot of twitching in my face which can get pretty awkward. Has this ever gone away for you? I'm a lefty and I'm getting pretty tired of trying to hold a fork with my right hand!

Lyme has a major effect on circulation because it causes thick blood. I don't know if that's what causes the tingling or falling asleep feeling but they are also both common lyme symptoms. I had them both, no so much anymore, and also had raynauds symptoms which causes a blueness to my hands with a change in temperature which for me is in the shower every morning.

As far as the toxins not being proven, because lyme is so new, I don't think there is comparatively much research yet proven. For a disease that affects so many, there isn't even an accurate test yet.

Lyme can also cause muscle wasting. Also, neurological problems caused by the bacteria, toxins, ammonia or acidic conditions, cause cause the tingling or muscle problems. They are such scary symptoms. I remember hardly being able to hold my arms up long enough to wash my hair in the shower. I can finally feel my right pinky after about a year. Woohoo. It's the simple things in life we grow to appreciate.Co-ModeratorLyme, HME, HGE, bartonella. 4+ years undiag. despite 10 drs. Current meds: roxythyromycin, bactrim, doryx, amanatadine, neurontin, cymbalta Prior meds: amox, minocycline, tetracy. IV refused by ins. Supplements: boluoke, alpha lipoic acid, AG immune, magnesium, milk thistle, resistant microbes

Some days the circulation thing is not an issue. Other days, it's the main event! It's just really bad when it goes along with heavy inner vibrations everywhere, heavy prickly skin and the dreaded woozie head with pressure! It's good to hear that springsjean has the feeling back in her pinky! After all that time, you would think it would be permanent. Wonderful news!

Isn't it amazing how these pains and nerve stuff can be so localized! I sometimes get one area about four inches around on my upper arm and sometimes on one cheek that gets red hot. It's red and it's feels like it is burning up, yet I don't have a fever. It's like those critters just bunched up together in one spot!

This is something I am deeply involved with and following very closely.

(I was bitten by a tick 15-20 yrs ago, had rash, recent W-B's have returned IGG23 and IGM23, CD-57 of 16)

It is well known that Lyme Disease causes vasculitis which restricts bloodflow.

I am beginning to develop a theory which suggests that the Lyme is trying to transform our bodies into a more suitable breeding ground by lowering the overall supply of oxygen to infected parts of our bodies.

As some of you may know, I am a MS sufferer who has undergone a new, controversial procedure called the Liberation Procedure. In a nutshell, it is believed that many MS'ers suffer from a condition in which the jugular veins restrict bloodflow through the brain by decreasing drainage because the veins are constricted in a manner (valve or vein stenosis). Liberation means using venous angioplasty (ballooning or stenting) to correct this outflow problem.

I have had the procedure done twice by the most experienced doctors in the U.S. (One in NY and one in CA)

I have also had a stent placed in my left internal jugular vein, because the vein itself had shriveled down to a 2 mm diameter. This is a 10mm+ vein normally when fully draining! (You should know here that the internal jugular veins only drain blood from the brain when laying down. The vertebral veins perform this function when you are upright. As a result, vein diameters vary depending on the body's position and so jug veins must be looked at while laying down.)

The valves of the juguar veins have been found to be the most common cause of stenosis.

Summary of procedures:1st - mild balloong of right and left IJV's valves (Internal Jugular Veins)2nd- stent placed in compressed left iliac vein (May Th8rner's Syndrome)3rd- stent placed in left IJV (vein was 2 mm fully dilated)4th- radical ballooning of right and left IJV valves

I experienced short-term improvement and then declined after each procedure. Many who undergo the procedure experience flu-like symptoms afterwards (which may be a die-off of the infection due to increased oxygen).

I believe that my stenoses were caused by Lyme and that is why the procedures did not provide me with any long lasting benefits - the Lyme was never treated and so kept causing the vasculitis.

I never made the connection until I saw rhis article about a Lyme patient who underwent the procedure:

Although thick blood is something that needs to be checked out, it's not the only thing that can cause some of those sensations. Lyme attacks the entire nervous system and does damage nerves so that they are misfiring -causing weird sensations such as a patch on your foot or arm to feel ice cold, or even suddenly very warm.

Miss C- there seems to be quite a few members using lumbrokinase. You can read more about it here:www.lymediseaseresource.com/Lumbrokinase.html. Of course I suggest that you talk it over with your LLMD before using anything to thin your blood. Co-Moderator, Lyme Disease ;)

Treating with Acupuncture, Traditional & Modern Chinese Medicine & Western Herbs. Before tx, I had all but 20 of the symptoms on the "Master Symptom List"

That would be a good idea! We seem to have quite a few of our members that are dealing with thick blood. The other thing you could do is to use our search function - I have found that the search function here is a lot of help!

Here is a site I just found - rather interesting reading. According to this site, I now know why I don't deal with the 'thick blood' issue! I take all of the botanical and vitamin that is recommended for thick blood. Hmm. Not sure just how accurate the recommendations are though, I haven't had time to check them out, so take all with a grain of salt please!

This is a very interesting subject that can have several causes. I have circulation problems as well, but I do know what is causing them. Along with other organs in my body Lyme has attacked my heart with a fairly great deal of damage.

I have a Right Ventricular Outflow Track Parasytole. (mouthfull) What it means is that my heart tries to pump my blood backwards at times because there is a syncronization problem between the AV node, SN node, and the new parasytole. They all try to control the beat of my heart but don't always get the rythum right.

Also I have thick blood too. My LLMD has given me several options for this from fish oil,Lumbrokinase, Nattokinase, Brolmelain, Vitamin E, and ginko biloba. I take fish oil and drink lots and lots of water.

The water maily because I found dehydration to be a trigger for the RVOTP. What was once a very dibilitating side effect from lyme is now pretty much an after thought. I still don't have the best circulation and my limbs tend to fall alseep easily still but I don't pass out anymore.

One other thing I do to increase oxygen in my body is to take nitrous oxide. It is found in many workout supplements although I haven't yet found one without caffine, will let you know if and when I do. But Nitrous Oxide dialates capilaries increasing the flow of oxygen to the cellular level.

I always feel better when I take N.O. It definately gives an energy boost and helps be to make it through some strength training to prevent attrophy that is such a problem with Lyme. I agree that Lyme takes over and makes the most hospitible environment for it's self. Lyme is a super bacteria in the way of science!

But that would take forever to explain. Before you spend a lot of money on another prescription if you are worried about thick blood I would talk with your doctor and see if there are any other options that may help you. If you are worried about heart complications talk with your LLMD about seeing a cardiologist, they may have one to recomend.

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering- do you still have this problem? I've been experiencing a rush of blood feeling in the side of my head and other places off and on. I've also had it feel like the back of my head, arm, legs, ect. are falling asleep after leaning against something. Just curious as to whether you figured this out.

Oh, I'm sorry to be discouraging SleeplessNJ. I've been doing abx for 4 months and do feel better than last summer. I actually get out and do things more often now, like take my kids to the park or go to Bible study. I have new symptoms that keep popping up, but I still feel like things are better than last fall.

Scarlet Grace - this symptom had actually gone away for a while, but in the last week or so it's back again. Never really figured out exactly what it is, but it happens when my treatment is hitting me hard (so I guess it's a good sign?). I imagine that I just have tons of toxins floating around in my blood or something (not the most fun visualization, I know) and it's getting in the way of my bloodflow or something.

Sleepless - like Scarlet Grace (and I believe many others), I am getting better with abx, it's just that it comes and goes/cycles. Last week I hardly felt like I was sick at all anymore - I was running and dancing in the shower and crying from time to time because I was just so thrilled and amazed at how much better I was feeling. Now I'm not feeling so wonderful anymore, but within a couple of weeks I'm sure I'll have that same feeling of getting/being better again.

This thing just takes time and requires a lot of patience. Some people get better faster than others, and some people need more than just abx to get the job done. But with persistence there's no reason to believe you won't get better! I know it's a lot to take in - but hope really is so important; try to find a way to get that hope back, if you can. Hang in there!Co-Moderator, Lyme Disease Forum

Scarlett--you are way too sweet to ask about me. Gosh, this group rocks!! I walked away and felt a little better. I have my ups and downs..mostly downs which is hard and very discouraging. But it is so amazing to be able to come here and talk it out with you all and actually have someone ask how *I* am doing when they are the same. I am truly touched. Bless you.

I clicked on the "details" at the bottom of the page, just above the "members." I saw this thread and clicked on it. A few things caught my eye.

Several of the members said some things about circulation that i would like to comment on. I will address them in the future with one of my longer articles. I am now trying to keep the length of my posts down. My initial zeal for writing long posts has worn off! However, sometimes my goal is to reveal my thought process as well, i.e. my chain of reasoning. I had devised my own protocol that solved Heather's problem with a cold right arm that was also hypersensitive and weak.The solution involved consideration of several issues, and therefore will require a well thought out and communicated post.

I found Ineverlikedrollercoasters post to be interesting. I think that he is onto something. I have already written a post about Nitric Oxide. Dr. J. has recently flound a way to increase its production in her body. Heather reports that it is helping her swimming endurance.

I would also like to make a few corrections. It is "nitric oxide," not "nitrous oxide." Nitrous oxide is also known as "laughing gas" which is used as an anesthetic. The various products on the market enable the body into making its own nitric oxide, which exists in the form of a gas. Various types of specialized cells in the body manufacture this gas when they are enabled and communicated to do so. Nitric oxide in turn communicates to the arterial walls to dilate when called upon to do so, and also has immune system function. Nitric oxide availability is only one of several issues potentially impacting blood circulation.